Collapsible basket



COLLAPS IBLE BASKET Fild Jan. 15, 1940 Ki i/(3.5.,

ISnventor $3 Mary Eflml Brihi'n Cittomcg Patented June 8, 1943 UNITED STATES T OFFICE 1 Claim.

This invention relates to collapsible baskets and particularly baskets applying a fabric sheet to a collapsible wire frame.

An object of the invention is to adapt a basket to be securely held in container form, while adapting it to be readily and quickly collapsed, when not in use.

Another object is to adapt such a basket to be so compactly collapsed, that it will occupy a comparatively small storage space, when not in use, and may be hung substantially flat against a wall or other support.

A further object is to form the wire frame of a collapsible basket with a pair of handles at opposite ends of the basket and to utilizesuch handles for attaching a fabric member to the form.

These and various other objects are attained by the construction hereinafter described and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, where- In:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the basket, as adjusted for use.

Fig. 2 is a similar view of one end of the basket, omitting the fabric member.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the wire frame, partially collapsed.

Fig. 4 is a cross sectional view of said form, fully collapsed.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the fabric member, unfolded.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of an end portion of the basket, as adjusted for use.

Fig. 7 is a top plan view of an end member of the basket frame.

Fig. 8 is an elevational view of such end member.

In these views, the reference characters I and 2 designate respectively side wires and end wires of the bottom member of the elongated frame of the basket, and 3 and 4 designate respectively longitudinal and transverse wires centrally reinforcing said member. Said wires are suitably interconnected, as by welding.

The basket frame further comprises a pair of side members each formed by a longitudinal wire 5, a pair of transverse end wires 6 and a central transverse wire I. Corresponding ends of the wires 6 and 'I are welded or otherwise rigidly attached to the wires 5, and their other ends carry eyelets 8 whereby the side members are pivoted to the corresponding wires of the bottom member. The wires 5 have end portions extending beyond the wires 6 to pivotally mount latch hooks 9, such end portions being upwardly bent as indicated at III to hold the latch hooks in place and. to also hold a fabric member in place, as will presently appear.

T-shaped end members of the frame comprise wires II having eyelets I2 at corresponding ends pivoting the end members on the wires 2, at junctures of the latter with the wires 3, andcross wires I3 carried by the wires I I, and formed with handle-forming central loops I4 to which the wires II are welded and terminal eyelets I5 for engagement by said latch hooks. The eyelets I2 are slotted to accommodate the wire 3, as best appears in Fig. 8, the desired central position of said eyelets on the wires 2 being thus maintained.

When adjusted for use, the side and end members are swung to the upright position shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and are secured in such position by engaging the latch hooks 9 in the eyelets IS.

A canvas, burlap or other fabric sheet I6, best seen in Fig. 5, serves to form the bottom and walls of the basket, when properly disposed within the wire frame. A pair of transverse slots I! in the end portions of said sheet accommodate the handle loops I4 and grommets I8 formed in the corner portions of said sheet accommodate the bent ends I 0 of the wires 5 whereby the fabric is held in the desired engagement with the frame, with marginal portions of said sheet draped over the wires 5 and I3.

A collapsible basket of the described character has many possible uses. When serving as a laundry container, it will be highly desirable to collapse the basket when not in use so that it may be compactly stored, and easily kept clean. Ready detachability of the fabric I6 facilitates washing thereof when required.

As a shipping container, a basket of this type is obviously desirable since in compact collapsed form, it may be returned to the point of shipment much less expensively than a non-collapsible container.

The invention is presented as including all such modifications and changes as come within the scope of the following claim.

What I claim is:

A collapsible container, comprising substantially rectangular bottom frame member, four wall-forming frame members, means pivotally connecting the wall-forming members respectively to the bottom frame member, at its respective margins, whereby the wall-forming members may adjoin each other in substantially vertical positions of use, or may be collapsed to substantially horizontal positions, fasteners projectof all the wall members, and a fabric sheet adapted to fit within the frame formed by said members in their position of use, said sheet having openings to receive said fasteners, whereby the 5 sheet is made to conform to the wall members.

MARY ETHEL BRITAIN. 

